2024 Boozy Punter Horse of the Season

Congratulations to...

Kyprios

who wins the award with a record single-season points total. A retained single pick for Cliff, this season's champ Neil also benefited from the selection which won a total of six races during our season (and one before it started at Navan.)

The first points-scoring run was on 17 May at Leopardstown in a Group 3 over 1m 6f when, as 1/12F. Ryan Moore brought the horse home by a cosy length from the other Aiden O'Brien runner Queenstown. Kyprios stepped up to Group 1 level at Ascot at the following month for the Gold Cup over 2m 4f. It was another length victory, from Trawlerman this time, under the same pilot, at 11/10F.

July's win came in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at 8/13F. This time Moore and Kyprios had four lengths to spare over runner-up Sweet William. The Irish St Leger at the Curragh on 15 September was the next target. It was another comfortable win, this time by two and a quarter lengths at 2/5F, with Willie Mullins' classy hurdler Vauban filling the runner-up spot.

Three weeks later the assignment was the Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp. This time Kyprios started at 1/5F under Moore and readily took the prize with Alan King's Trueshan two lengths back. There was a quick reappearance a fortnight later for Champions Day at Ascot and the Group 2 Long Distance Cup. The horse kept on well to deny old rival Sweet William by two and a quarter lengths at 8/11F.

Kyprios becomes the first stayer to top the TRC World Ranking list and is set to stay in training in 2025. Cliff must be rubbing his hands!

The top three:

313.3 - Kyprios (32.2 + 79.2 + 53.24 + 52.8 + 52.4 + 43.46)

274.1 - Bluestocking (47 + 54.2 + 27.5 + 57.4 + 88)

245.34- Charyn (27.4 + 83.68 + 53.8 + 80.26)

2024 Flat Issue 26 - Champ crowned, late change to the runner-up spot

Headlines

Kyprios stars in Long Distance Cup

Charyn Crowned Top Miler

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 2m group 2 Kyprios (Cliff, Neil), wen to post, Prominent, went second after 1f, going best home turn, led over 2f out, ridden against far rail over 1f out, kept on well, winning by 2 1/4 l. Cliff gets 43.46 points, Neil 21.73

In the 1m group 1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes Charyn ( Neil), took his chance, Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and hung left when faced challenge from over 1f out, kept on well, winning by 2l. 

He gets 80.26 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           October            Total

Neil     128.19                     1039.33

Cliff    136.86                 771.65

Cod   69.2                    716.56

Peej    00                   697.77

Steve   88                    683.04

Martin      104                576.8

Bob      00                     553.22

 

So the editor is trainer of the month. 

Congratulations to Neil on winning the  Title, Bob picks up the Spoon, with a record points score for it.

News

Nicky Henderson has paid an emotional tribute to Marie's Rock after announcing the retirement of his Cheltenham Festival winner. The nine-year-old, who caused an 18-1 shock under Nico de Boinville in the Mares' Hurdle in 2022, won nine of her 22 starts and earned just over £350,000 in prize-money.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing, Marie's Rock was purchased for €35,000 at the Goffs Land Rover store sale before making a successful debut at Ffos Las in May 2019.

The mare followed her Cheltenham Festival success with a second Grade 1 victory in the Irish Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. She went on to land the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day last year before taking the Grade 2 Warfield Mares' Hurdle at Doncaster this January. Her last run came on the Flat, when she finished a head second in the Listed Beckford Stakes at Bath this month. 

Reflecting on her career, Henderson said: "She was a bit special in every single way. When we bought her, nobody would have ever dreamt then, or even after her first two seasons, that she was going to finish where she did. She never missed a beat throughout her career – it was terrific. Fair play to Middleham Park, who have a great squad, because she was very special to everyone and we'll miss her."

 

Gordon Elliott has also revealed that Champion Hurdle runner-up Irish Point will miss the entire season with a setback

Jumps Competition

Closing date for strings is Close of play Monday 11th November

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2024 Flat Issue 25 - Last few days of the flat

Headlines

Azada Sparkles in Garnet Stakes

Report

At  Naas on Sunday in the 1m listed stakes for fillies and mares Azada (Cliff), took her chance, Slightly awkward start, soon pressed leader, ridden to lead and edged left over 1f out, idled inside final furlong, stayed on, winning by 2l. She gets 41 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           October            Total

Neil     26.2                     937.34

Cliff    93.4                  728.19

Cod   69.2                    716.56

Peej    00                   697.77

Steve   88                    683.04

Martin      104                576.8

Bob      00                     553.22

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Haydock

4.05 Summerghand

Saturday  

Ascot

1.20 Kyprios, Trawlerman, Continuous

1.55 Spycatcher, Bucanero Fuerte

2.35 Content, Danielle

3.15 Charyn, Henry Longfellow, Nashwa, Dancing Gemini

3.55 Economics, Henry Longfellow, Content, See The Fire, Continuous, Nashwa

4.35 Daysofourlives, Popmaster, Theoryofeverything

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2024 Flat Issue 24 - Winners and a surprise

Headlines

Kyprios lands Cadran Again

Al Quareem stars at Ascot

Ramadan Feasts at Longchamp

Soul is Punters Friend in Paris

Stocking gives French the blues in France

Cinderella Stars at Belmont Ball

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 1m 4f group 3 Al Qareem (Martin), went to post, Took keen hold, disputed lead on outer, led clearly over 8f out, went further clear halfway, reduced lead over 2f out, ridden and went clear again over 1f out, kept on well, winning by 2l. He gets 34.2 points.

At Longchamp in the 2m 4f grop 1 Prix Du Cadran Kyprios (Cliff, Neil), went to post, Made all, ridden 3f out, driven and kept on well from under 2f out, winning readily by 2l. Cliff gets 52.4 points, Neil 26.2

In the 1m group 2 Ramadan (Cod), took his chance, in touch in midfield, ridden and headway from under 3f out, driven and pressed leader under 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, driven out, winning by ¾ l. He gets 69.2 points.

On Sunday in the 1m 2f Prix d’lOpera for fillies and mares, Friendly Soul (Martin), took her chance, Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, driven when pressed over 1f out, rallied and asserted final 100yds, driven out, winning by ¾ l. She gets 69.8 points.

In the 1m 4f group 1 Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe, Bluestocking ( Steve), took her chance, Tracked leaders, left in second after 5f, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and kept on well from 1 1/2f out, driven out, winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 88 points.

Apologies to Martin, as I missed Cinderella’s Dream a Belmont back in July. In the 1m 1f Grade 1 fillies Oaks, Settled in final pair, not much room 2 1/2f out, began to close 2f out, not much room and steadied well over 1 1/2f out, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on well to lead 50yds out,  winning readily by ¾ l. She gets 68.6 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           October            Total

Neil     26.2                     937.34

Cod   69.2                    716.56

Peej    00                   697.77

Cliff    52.4                  687.19

Steve   88                    683.04

Martin      104                576.8

Bob      00                     553.22

News

William Haggas put his likely team for Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday week through their paces on the Limekilns in Newmarket on Thursday morning headed by Champion Stakes favourite Economics. The Irish Champion Stakes hero was ridden by his usual partner Cieren Fallon in a mile workout on the round gallop with two older stablemates and came through on the bridle at the business end to finish on top. Haggas said: "Economics is in good shape and is right where we want him at the present time. He's the biggest name on our card for Ascot at least and we couldn't be happier with him."

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Newmarket

3.00 Pogo

York

1.30 Theoryofeverything

Saturday  

York

2.40 Summerghand

Sunday  

Goodwood

3.00 Summerghand

4.45 Theoryofeverything

Naas

2.50 Azada

4.00 Chemistry

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2024 Flat Issue 23 - News before the Arc

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           September            Total

Neil     39.65                      911.14

Peej    104.18                     697.77

Cod   42.25                     647.36

Cliff    102.2                       634,79

Steve   57.4                    595.04

Bob      31.2                     553.22

Martin      27.6                 404.2

So congratulations to Peej, who is September trainer of the month

News

Robert Havlin could register his second Group 1 winner of the season in the Cheveley Park Stud colours after being booked to ride Inspiral in Saturday’s Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (2.40) at Newmarket. Havlin stands in for the absent Ryan Moore on John and Thady Gosden’s mare as Moore heads to Longchamp – where his book of rides includes Kyprios in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (1.33).

Bluestocking will lead Britain's challenge in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.20) and her big-race jockey Rossa Ryan believes she can justify the decision to supplement her for the Longchamp showpiece.

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Newcastle

6.00 Spetses

Saturday  

Newmarket

2.40 Inspiral, Nashwa, see The Fire, Ylang Ylang, Friendly Soul

3.15 Meribella

Redcar

3.55 Danielsflyer

Ascot 

2.25 Al Quareem, God,s Window, Hamish

3.35 Popmaster

Longchamp

1.33 Kyprios, Coltrane, Continuous

4.08 Ramadan

Keenland

10.48 Kikkuli

Sunday  

Longchamp

2.05 Azure Blue

3.20 Continuous, Auguste Rodin, Delius, Bluestocking

4.05 See The Fire

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan